Eagle Rock artist’s paintings ignite collector and police interest

Eagle Rock plein artist Alex Schaefer is accustomed to having passersby take a peak at this canvas as he paints outdoors. But last month the visitors included a pair of LAPD officers who showed up as Schaefer stood on a Van Nuys sidewalk with easel and brushes painting a depiction of the local Chase bank branch (bottom picture) in flames. The painting is part of Schaefer’s series of burning bank branches – including the Chase branch in Los Feliz, pictured at top – that serves as his artistic representation of the nation’s banking crises. But someone feared that Schaefer’s artistic pursuit might be a form of terrorism, prompting a call to the LAPD. Schaefer describes the incident on his blog:

I got lots of thumbs up and likes from passersby but after an hour and a half the cops showed up. They said someone called thought I might be a terrorist. It was a peaceful encounter and I think the cops felt a little silly writing me up; its a long way from painting a visual metaphor of the banks to actual terrorism. They ran my ID through their computer, we chatted a bit and they let me go. I can’t wait to start another one now! Aahahah! Who would have thought plein air painting could become an episode of COPS? The piece needs a little more work but I’m going to let it get good and dry and do more in the meantime.

The story does not end there, however.

A story in Sunday’s L.A. Times said two LAPD detectives later showed up at Schaefer’s Eagle Rock home and asked him: “Do you hate banks? Do you plan to do that to the bank?” The painter once again repeated his story. Instead of landing him in more trouble, those bank paintings and publicity have generated several offers for Schaefer’s Van Nuys oil painting, which is titled “Chase Burning.” Schaefer has now put the painting up for auction on eBay, with a starting bid of $920.

18 comments

Is there nothing more dangerous than artistic metaphor? It is tragic/funny that a guy who is out front of the bank PAINTING an interpretation of our nationa’s financial situation going up in flames is suspected of terrorism. If this guy truly wanted to set afire a bank would he really take the time to advertise with oil paints out front for all passersby to see? Please. We truly are a nation of hysterics, paranoids and snoops. Oh yeah, judging by the photos, Schaefer has training and talent. I hope he scores a good price for the painting and further leverages the publicity to get a proper gallery show. Good luck!

I honestly do hate banks for what their greed has done to our nation’s economy and hard-working taxpayers, so I can appreciate where the artist is coming from. I believe most of us can also make the distinction between actual arson/terrorism vs. artistic expression. It is strange to have the LAPD now function as art critics. Maybe this will lead to some “deviant” art installations as interpreted by the city of Los Angeles and our hyper-concerned citizens? Perhaps then they can clarify what works are unacceptable for public consumption. Come on artists! They’re are still plenty of happy sunsets and cute kitties to paint in this best of all possible worlds.

huh, I remember doing this in High School back in the early 70’s. The art class assignment was to paint something of currnet interest. I thought about the student protests going on during that time, and decided to paint a protest at my high school, including the principal and his burning car, along with students throwing molotov cocktails at the school. The picture, along with others, was hung in the teacher’s lounge (part of the assignment was this reward), which then drew the ire of the principal. I was told I was being watched because of the painting. My freinds and I couldn’t stop laughing when hearing this. Didn’t realize i could’ve had a career 35 yrs later doing the same thing.

Further, it’s common knowledge that photographers who don’t take pictures of people (or who take pictures of police) are generally terrorists { http://www.lbpost.com/life/greggory/12188 }, so it follows that painters are enemies of the state, as well.

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